How to decide matching colors in design in UI and UX

To decide on matching colors in UI/UX design, consider the "60-30-10 rule" where you choose a dominant color for 60% of your design (often neutral), a secondary color for 30% to add visual interest, and an accent color for 10% to grab attention; use color theory principles like complementary, analogous, or split-complementary color schemes based on the color wheel, and always prioritize accessibility by ensuring sufficient contrast between colors; understand the psychology of color to evoke the desired emotion in your design. 
Key points to remember:
  • Color theory:
    Utilize the color wheel to identify complementary (opposite), analogous (adjacent), or split-complementary color schemes to create visually appealing combinations. 
  • Dominant color (60%):
    Choose a neutral or muted color that sets the overall tone of the design and takes up the most space. 
  • Secondary color (30%):
    Select a color that complements the dominant color and adds visual interest. 
  • Accent color (10%):
    Use a bold or contrasting color sparingly to highlight important elements or call-to-action buttons. 
  • Color psychology:
    Consider the emotional associations of different colors when choosing your palette, like blue for trust, green for nature, or red for urgency. 
  • Accessibility:
    Ensure sufficient contrast between colors to make your design accessible to users with visual impairments. 
Tools to help with color selection:
  • Adobe Color CC: An interactive color wheel that allows you to experiment with different color schemes 
  • Colormind: AI-powered tool that generates color palettes based on your preferences 
  • Khroma: A palette generator that lets you search based on color themes and moods 

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